High school teacher accused of holding students in car at knife point

High school teacher arrested on suspicion of kidnapping 3 students, holding them at knife point

An Arcadia high school teacher remained in custody Monday after surrendering to authorities in connection with the kidnapping of three students at knife point, authorities said.

John Edward Maust, 34, turned himself in at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, and was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment and making threats, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Maust is an instructor at Arroyo Pacific Academy, a four-year private college preparatory high school.

A school official who answered the phone Monday declined to talk about Maust. She said the school planned to issue a statement later in the day.

The incident began about 9:35 p.m. Saturday as the students were driving near Ganesha Avenue and East Mariposa Street in Altadena. They spotted Maust, their teacher, standing on the sidewalk, sheriff's officials said.